JUNE 24, Matthew 24:42-44

If you have an older brother who is serving in the Singapore Army, he would be assigned duties and one of these may be to guard his army camp. As a guard or watchman, he would have to be alert and observant. He would have to know what to look out for – the signs of a potential burglar or intruder. Ask your brother whether he can relax or sleep when he is on duty, and he would give a definite “No!” In a way, this is what our text teaches.

Jesus is not teaching us to be watchmen or guards for any physical building, but asking us to be watchmen in the spiritual sense. Here, Jesus is using the analogy of a goodman (or owner) or a house guarding his home from burglars. Had he been alert and observant, no burglar would have been able to break in.

Then Jesus comes to the conclusion of this passage in verse 44 with, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” What does that mean? Jesus was saying that He would be coming back to earth again one day, and we are to live our lives in a godly way. Living our lives in a godly way is also to know we should live for Jesus, to be a good Christian boy or girl, to apply whatever lessons we have learned to our spiritual lives.

In Singapore, many parents and children think the most important thing is for children to do well in school, get into the best universities, and then get the best jobs. There is nothing wrong with getting the best jobs. But some parents and children sacrifice so much to do that. Some children do not spend time reading God’s Word or doing their quiet time. Some study way too much or on Sundays as well. Dear child, there is nothing wrong with excellence in school. But let that not come at the expense of living a good Christian life.

You and I have to be good watchmen, to be aware that Jesus will one day return for us. No matter how wealthy our parents are, or how successful we are in school, all these would not matter when Jesus comes back for us as He would bring us to heaven and whatever we have on earth would be left on earth!

Thought: Am I a good watchman?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may I learn well today’s lesson to be a good watchman, to live a life not for myself but in anticipation of Jesus coming back to earth for me. And thank you for the reminder that there is nothing on earth that I can bring to heaven. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.